One question has been on my mind since this all happened though..."Why does it take something as tragic as this to bring this great nation together"? Wouldn't it be a REAL tribute to those who lost their lives, if we could stand united ALL the time?
A good question that I can't answer, Willie.
I was seven years old when WWII started. Growing up during that time instilled a patriotism in me that I suppose most, if not all people of my generation have. Every school day we started with a short prayer for "our fighting boys," said The Pledge Of Allegiance, and went about trying to learn the 3 R's.
At home we listened to the radio for news, and heard our National Anthem at least once a day, stood and sang along with it.
We were more concerned with our nation, yet confident we would win the war.
"Political correctness" had not yet been invented, so we could laugh at and with each other, and NO ONE was offended. We were not concerned with petty differences of ethnic backgrounds, or which denomination church we attended. We were all Americans! We stood together.
I detest the division that we have seen since the sixties, when Americans became hyphenated Americans. Allegiences became divided, we were no longer Americans. I see nothing wrong with being proud of your heritage, but it should remain just that, your heritage.
If any good comes out of this war, I pray that we all start thinking of ourselves as Americans first!
Guess what? It is beginning to happen!